Auxiliary ski binding



United States Patent [72] inventor Anton Wiedermann Bad Gastein, Austria [21] Appl. No. 748,071

[22] Filed July 26,1968

[45] Patented Dec. 22, 1970 [73] Assignee Wiener Metallwarenflbrik Smolka & Co.

Vienna, Mauer, Lindauergasse, Austria [32] Priority July 31, 1967 [33] Austria [31] Nos.A7lll/67andA71l3/67 [54] AUXILIARY SKI BINDING 18 Claims, 28 Drawing Figs.

52] us. c1 2210/11.:5 [51] Int. Cl. A63c 9/00 [50] Field oi'Seareh 280/1 1.35Cl-1,

11.35c,11.35cA, 11.35A, 11.35AA, 11.35AB, 11.35T7, 11.35

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,401,950 9/1968 Smolka etal 280/1 1.35(CH) 3,414,282 12/1968 Salomon 280/1 l.35(CHl 3,452,999 7/1969 Salomon 7.80/1 1.35(CH) FOREIGN PATENTS 1,372,021 8/1964 France 280/1135CH Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Milton L. Smith Attorney-Michael S. Striker ABSTRACT: An auxiliary ski binding for preventing the separation of a ski from a ski boot in the event of unintentional release of the main ski binding. A strip-shaped elongated first member is secured to the ski and has a free end. A second member in form of a locking catch is secured to the ski boot and can be releasably coupled with the free end of the first member. The first member consists of such material and/or is so constructed and arranged as to have a predetermined resistance to longitudinal extension and a resistance to torsional stresses such as twisting which is greater than the predetermined resistance to longitudinal extension. The auxiliary binding prevents the ski, if the latter is unintentionally released by the main ski binding, from twisting or turning with reference to the ski boot.

PATENTEUBEBZZIQYB 3,549,163

SHEET 3 BF 5 FIG. [2

FIGJU BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a safety arrangement, and

more particularly to an auxiliary ski binding for preventing the separation of a ski from a ski boot in the event of unintentional release of the main ski binding.

It is well known that there are the soealled safety bindings which will release the ski from the ski boot under certain circumstances, for example if the skier should fall and a certain stress is applied upon the ski or the ski boot. This type of binding is becoming more and more popular and is intended to prevent injury to the foot or leg of the skier which might result if the ski were not to be released inthe event of a fall, or an analogous occurrence.

As just pointed out, this type of ski binding is becoming more and more popular. However, it' presents a problem in that the ski, once released from the ski boot, can freely move away from the user. In other words, under the existing momentum the ski will run awayover the snow and may be entirely lost or will at best be recoverable only after more or less strenuous effort. v

The present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary ski binding which overcomes this problem.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary ski binding which will prevent the separation of a ski from a ski boot, or vice versa, in the event of unintentional release of the main ski binding. v

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary ski binding of the type here under discussion which, when the ski is released from the ski boot by the main ski binding, will prevent turning and/or twisting of the ski with reference to the ski boot, thus precluding the possibility of injury to the leg or foot of the skier.

A further object of the invention is to provide a locking catch or coupling means which, while it is particularly advantageous in conjunction with, and as an element of, the novel auxiliary ski binding, will have a wide range of applications of a more general nature and not related with skis or with ski bindings.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION In pursuance of the above objects, and otherswhich will become apparent hereafter, one feature of my invention resides in the provision of an auxiliary ski binding for preventing the separation of a ski from a ski boot in the event of unintentional release of the main ski binding which normally holds the ski boot to the ski. My novel auxiliary ski binding comprises first auxiliary binding element means which is securable to a ski, and second auxiliary binding element means which is securable to a ski boot. The second means is arranged for separable coupling engagement with the first means and both thereof are so constructed and arranged as to cooperate with one another in a sense maintaining the ski, in the event that the latter is unintentionally released by the main ski binding, against pivotal movement with reference to the boot about at least one of two axes, one of which is normal to, and the other of which is parallel with the elongation of the ski.

Advantageously, the first auxiliary binding element means of my auxiliary ski binding may be in form of an elongated, preferably strip-shaped member having a resistance to torsional stresses which is greater than its resistance to stresses tending to elongated. This body or member may consist of at least two or a plurality of longitudinally adjacent portions which are inclined with reference to one another when the member is not subjected to longitudinally acting extension stresses. Thus, the member may be of zigzag-shape, it may be of substantially S-shaped configuration, or the like. The material of the member would ordinarily not be in itself elastic and extensible, and the member will be extensible only by virtue of the fact that, as the mutually inclined portions are deflected out of their positions of mutual inclination in response to extension stresses and into a position of longitudinal alignment, the member will thereby extend in length.

In accordance with a further feature of my invention I may provide suitable means, such as a metallic spring, a hydraulic spring or a pneumatic spring, on the elongated member for counteracting the shock resulting from sudden exertion of Iongitudinally acting extension stresses upon the elongated member.

The elongated member need not be of one piece. Rather, it may also be of two pieces which are not mutually inclined but are rather located in surface-to-surface abutment with one another so as to be longitudinally slidable relative to one another. Suitable means for connecting the two pieces together with freedom of longitudinal sliding'movement will then be provided, and a restoring spring may be provided for restoring the twopieces from an extended position to a normal position thereof.

An additional embodiment of my invention provides for such arrangement of my auxiliary si ski binding, and for suitable biassing means as part of the auxiliary ski binding, that placing of the ski boot upon the contact surface of the ski in a predetermined position of the second auxiliary binding element means on the ski boot with reference to the first auxiliary binding element means will result in automatic coupling en- V gagement betweenthe two means.- However, it is also within the purview of my invention to so construct and arrange my auxiliary ski binding that the first auxiliary binding means will require the exertion of some pressure thereon by the user in order to be brought into coupling engagement with the-first auxiliary binding element means. The second auxiliary binding element means or locking catch may take a variety of forms, but will basically comprise two members one of which is movable with reference to the other between two positions in one of which it extends across an open side of a recess into which a portion of the first auxiliary binding element means can be inserted, so that this portion is prevented from withdrawal, and a second position in which the movable member is withdrawn from this open side and permits removal of the first auxiliary binding element means from the recess. Biasing means will bias the movable member to the first position thereof. Details of various embodiments of this locking catch will become apparent hereafter.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 5 is a sectioned side elevation illustrating yet another embodiment of my invention;

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate in diagrammatic form, and in different operative stages, yet a further embodiment of my invention;

FIGS. 10-13 are somewhat similar to FIGS. 6-9 but illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 14-18 illustrate one embodiment of the locking catch according to my present invention in views which are respectively side elevational, sectioned side elevational in a first relative position of my locking catch, sectioned side elevational in a second operative position of my locking catch, top plan and sectioned top plan;

provided with the eye 4 into locking engagement with the locking catch 5, as shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9-shows that the coupling connection between the member 1 and the locking catch 5 can be readily released by exerting a slight pressure upon the locking catch 5, for example by exerting a pressure in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 9 with the ski pole 11, thereby causing the eye 4 to become released from the locking catch 5 and causing the member 1 to be moved in the direction of the small arrow associated therewith.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-13 is reminiscent of that in FIGS. 6-9. Again, FIGS. 10-13 show different operative stages. I-Iere, however, it will be seen that the configuration of the member 1 is different from what is shown in FIGS. 6-9, and that the free end portion of the member 1 is provided with a somewhat conical portion 16 in which the eye 4 (not shown in FIGS. 10-13) is formed, In FIG. 10 the boot 2 is shown being placed in position upon the ski 12. In FIG. 11 the boot 2 is shown in position abutting the upper surface of the ski 12, and the ski pole 11 is being used to exert a slight pressure upon the pr portion 16 of the member 1 to thereby move this portion into engagement with the locking catch 5, as illustrated in FIG. 12, in which the locking catch engages with the (not illustrated) eye 4 and coupling between the member 1 and locking catch 5 is effected. To release this coupling connection it is simply necessary, as shown in FIG. 13, to exert again slight pressure with the fingers or any other suitable instrumentality, such as the ski pole 11, from above upon the locking catch 5, releasing the same and permitting the portion 16 to move out of engagement with the locking catch 5. This engagement will be automatic because of .the tendency of the member 1 to resume its original position visible in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 14-27 show four embodiments of a locking catch constituting a part of my auxiliary ski binding. It is emphasized, however, that this locking catch has a general applicability far beyond the use in my novel auxiliary ski binding, although it is particularly well suited for such use. Nevertheless it must be kept in mind that throughout discussion of the embodiments of FIGS. 14-27 reference is being had to use of the respective locking catches in conjunction with my auxiliary ski binding only for the purpose of better understanding and because my locking catch in this invention constitutes a part of the auxiliary ski binding. This does not preclude, however, the applicability of the locking catches'of FIGS. 14-28 in other applications.

Discussing now the embodiment of FIGS. 14-18 it will be seen that my locking catch as shown therein comprises a housing or casing 17 having a recess therein which is located between two transversely spaced sidewall portions 26. The configuration of this recess is most clearly shown in FIGS. 14 and 16. In the side elevational view of FIG. 14 it will be seen that the member 1 (as shown in broken lines) is just being introduced into this recess and (as shown in full lines) is already 7 received in the recess in locking relationship. A locking member or hook member 18 is located between the wall portions 26 (compare the top plan view of FIG. 17 and FIG. 18) and is connected for pivotal movement with reference to the housing 17 by means of a pivot pin' 22 which extends through the member 18 and connects the same with the sidewall portions 26. As shown in FIGS. 14-16 the member 18 is provided with a contact or abutment face 19 which, when the member 18 is in its normal position in which this contact face or abutment face 19 extends across the recess in the housing 17 (compare FIG. 14) must be engagedby the incoming member 1. The member 18 is urged to the position shown in FIGS. 14 and by provision of the biasing spring 20 and can be tilted to the position shown in FIG. 16, in which it does not obstruct the recess in the housing 17, against the action of the biasing spring 20. The spring 20 is located in a recess 23 provided in the member 18, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, and the direction of tilting movement of the member 18 from its closure position to the open position in which it does not obstruct the recess in the housing 17 is indicated by the arrow 30 in FIG. 15. In FIG. 14 the full line showing of member 1 indicates how the member 1, once it is received in the recess, is prevented from being withdrawn out of the closed portion 29 of the recess by the presence of the member 18 which is, as soon as the deflecting pressure of the incoming member 1 (compare the broken-line illustration in FIG. 14) is terminated, will snap back to the position illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 17, inwhich the line xv-XV indicates the section taken to arrive at FIG. 15, and FIG. 18 which is taken on the line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 14, are self-explanatory. The end wall of the housing 17 is provided in this embodiment with the two apertures 24 by means of which the locking catch shown in FIGS. 14-18 may be secured, through the intermediary of screws or the like, on the ski boot 2 (FIG. 1) or any other element to. which it is to be mounted.

The embodiment of FIGS. 19 and 20 is rather reminiscent of that in FIGS. 14-18. It differs from these in that the member 1, which here is of flat cross-sectional configuration as opposed to the circular cross-sectional configuration illustrated in FIG. 14, and which again is introduced into the recess in the direction of the arrow 28 (FIG. 19) can be released from its full-line retained position of FIG. 19 by acting upon either one oftwo actuating portions of the member 18, whereas in FIGS. 14- 18 the member 18 had only a single actuating portion 21 (compare FIG. 15) upon which pressure was required to be exerted in the direction of the arrow 30, the member 18 in FIGS. 19 and 20 has a first actuating portion 27 which is accessible through the aperture 25 in the housing 17, so that a suitable implement may be pressed against the portion 27 to tilt the member 18 about the pin 22, as well as a second actuating portion 21 located exteriorly of the housing 17 and engageable with the fingers, orwith a suitable implement and operative for the same purpose as the portion 27. It should be noted that in the embodiment of FIGS. 19 and 20 the housing 17 is not open at the top, a as in the case of the preceding embodiment (compare FIGS. 17 and 18). Rather, it is closed at the top by a wall and the fastening openings 24 are provided in this wall as seen in FIG. 20. Thus, where in FIGS. 14-18 the embodiment was mounted on a suitable element with its sidewall, the embodiment of FIGS. 19 and 20 is mounted thereon with its end wall. Either construction is, as will be appreciated, simple and very compact so that it requires only little space. This is advantageous in many applications.

The provision of the inclined abutment or engaging surfaces 19 is particularly advantageous because it makes possible a simple and reliable coupling, members being introduced in the manner shown in FIGS. 14 and 19 are automatically guided to their proper position and automatically deflect the member 18'. The various actuating portions reliably provide unblocking of the recess and do not hamper the removal of the member 1 or the equivalent thereof. Evidently, this locking catch can be used in a variety of sporting goods and, in fact, a great variety of other applications which are not sports related. If the locking catch is mounted directly or indirectly on the ski boot in proper manner, automatic coupling will take place as indicated in FIGS. 6-13 when the ski boot is placed in position on the ski in such a manner as to be held in place by the main binding.

In the embodiment shown in FlGS.'21-22 the member 1, or the equivalent thereof which is to be releasably coupled with the locking catch, is introduced from above as opposed to the introduction from below in the preceding embodiments. The arrow 28 in FIG. 21 again indicates the direction of introduction and the member 1 is shown in dotted lines prior to, and in full lines subsequent to its coupling with the locking catch. The construction of the embodiment of FIGS. 21-23 is substantially similar to that of FIGS. 14-18. The difference is mainly in the construction of the actuating portion 21 pro: vided on the member 18. This actuating portion 21 is provided with an abutment face so configurated that, when pressure is.-

exerted upon this abutment face in the direction of the arrow 30 in FIG. 21, for instance with the end of a ski pole (not shown) or the like, the member 18 will tilt in the sense shown inFlG; 22 about the pivot releasing membeiwl forjwithdrawal from the recess of the device. Asshown in FIG. 23, the actuating portion 21 in this embodiment is provided in nonsymmetricalmanner, but this is by way of example only. i Corning, finally, to the embodiment of FlGS.24- -28, it will be seen that here the member 18, whichis again provided in a projecting across the recess in the housing 17 closes this recess andspi'events withdrawal of the member 1, or its equivalent, which is located in theclosed portion of the recess as shown in g 24. To beable to remove the member 2l.from the recess s 2 Without further analysis, theiforegoingwillfso fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can be applying V current knowledge .readily adaptit for various applications withoutomitting features that, fromthe standpoint of prior specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended withinthe art, fairly constitute essential chai acteristics'of the generic or meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

lclaim: i I 1. An auxiliary ski binding forpreventing separation of a ski fromla ski boot-in the event of unin'tentional release of the main ski binding,;comprising first auxiliary binding element means securable to a ski and beingiriform of an elongated body having at least two'longitudinally; adjacent mutually inclinedportionsand spaced end sections one of which is I 'securable to the ski and the other of which is separably enit issimply necessary. to exertuponthe portion 21 of the member 18, or uponboth of the portions 21, pressure in the a direction towards theright-hand side of FIG. 25. This will slide the member 18. in opposition to .the biasing force of the spring a However, and particularly if this embodiment is used in my novel ski binding and if it is desired to effect the relcasewith the use of theski pole or a rod of sornetype, it is simply neces- .sary to pushrthc tipof the ski pole into the space between the housing 1'1 and one of the portions 21, as indicated by the arrows SQfin FIG. ;This will also effect sliding movementof I the 'rj'nember 18 towards the right-handside of FIG. 25.

gageable with a second auxiliary binding element means, said elongated body having a prcdeterminedresistance to longitudinal extension and to torsional stresses; and secondauxiliary binding element means securable to a ski boot and arranged for separable coupling engagement with said other end section of said first .auxiliary binding element means, said auxiliary binding element means cooperating with one another in a sense maintaining the ski, in the event of unintentional release of the main ski binding, against pivotal movement with reference to the boot about at least one of two axes, one of lt 'is evident that the embodiments illustrated hereina'rc by wayof exampleonly and that al va'riety of applications :are

possible within theinventive intent and the scope of the pregentirapplication; Thus,; themeye need not be provided.

directly in the member-1, :butcan'beprovided on a portionor l eleiilent which is. suitable secured tothe rnember 1. Sirnila'rly,,

it is possible toprovide'a portion having theeye4on the boot. i I

.comprising'biassing.. rneans associated with said elongated 2,"aiidi'n thiscase the locking catchS would thenbe provided att'hefreeend ofthe member 1. In fact,it need not even be a 7 provided at the free end. SimilarlyQthemember 1 could be a connectedwith the boot 2 and the locking catch 5 could be 3 provided on the ski, just as it will obvious that, contrary to the 'illustrationin the'FIGS. of the present application, where v theinernber l is shown connected to the element 3 of the main skilbindingflhe member 1 orthelocking catch 5 could alsobe seciii'ed directly to the ski 12 itself. It is equally clear that'the I shock absorber 6 could simplybe replaced inFIG. 3 with a helicalspring.

"Aswill-al ready beevident from some of the illustrated em bodi'rnents (iorexample FIGS. 14,19, 21 and 24) the cross section or the member-1 need not be flat or strip-shapeibut. can be tubular, solid; circular, sta'r-shaped, polygonal or in gated body being strip-shaped;

which is normal to and the otherof which is parallel with the elongation of the ski. 1 V

2. An auxiliary ski bindingas defined inclaim 1, said resistance of said body totorsional stresses being greater than said predetermined rcsistance.

3. An-auxiliary ski binding as in claim 2, said elon-' 4." An auxiliary ski binding as defined in claim 2; and further body and operative for urging said other. end section thereof into separable engagement- 'with said second means in i response topositioning of the boot on the ski with a predeterfact fofany desired configuration. The important point in'all I embodimentsof cross-sectional configuration; of the'r'nember V l will be thatqthe member. 1 must be. resistant-to torsional. i

stresses to prevent tilting or'twistin gof the ski1l2 in the sense a earlier. Of course, the member 1 must be capable os willf au'tomatically snap in place, or can be guided into coupling engagement, when the boot 2 is placed in requisite position upon the ski 12.1 it is advantageous if member 1 is rather resistant to bending stresses because this also servesto inhibit undesired movements of the ski 12, particularly in case purview of those skilled in the art and need not be specifically discusscd, except to still point outthat in the embodiment of F [GL2 the spring 9, could bere'placed by suitablyiproviding an equivalent detent by a suitable deformation. f

described above.

while the invention. has been illustrated and described as of self-support(cornpare for example FIGS. 6-13) so that it Q mined orientation of said second means relative to said body.

. .5. An auxiliary si ski binding as defined in claim 2, said elongatedbody being arranged so that said other end section thereof is displa'ceable into separablelengagement with said second means in responseto exertion of slight-external pressure on said body by'a user. I 1

'6. An auxiliaryskibinding as defined in claim 1, said elongated body comprising a plurality of. longitudinally adjacent mutually inclined portions.

7. An auxiliary ski binding as defined in claim 6, said elongated body being of substantially S-shaped configuration. A

8. An auxiliary "ski binding as defined in-claim 1, saidelongated body consisting of substantially inelastic material and being longitudinally extensible in response to displacement of said portions from their positionsof mutual inclination into positions of longitudinal alignment; 9. An auxiliary ski binding as'defined in claim 1, said portions being displaceable fromtheir positionsof mutual inclina- "tion into a position of longitudinal alignment in response to soy it of ajvi'olent falll Other modificationsare clearly within the i h 10. Anauxiliary ski binding as defined in claim 9, said stresses tending to effect longitudinal extension of said body, said portionseach having one'of said end sections remote from the other portion; and further comprising elongated restoring means having opposite ends respectively connected with said body in'the region of one of said end sections and t operative for res'toringsaid portions to their positions of mutual inclination upon termination of stresses effecting longitudinal extension of said body.

i restoring means being a telescopic hydraulic spring.

. embodied in an auxiliary ski binding, it is not intended to be 7 i i a limited to the detailsshown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. I

.11. Anauxiliary ski'binding as defined in claim 9,

restoring means being a telescopic pneumatic spring.

12. An auxiliary ski binding as defined inclaim 1, said portions being displaceable from'theirposition of mutual inclination into a position of longitudinal alignment in response to stresses tending to efiect longitudinal extension of said body,

said portions each having one of said and sections remote I restoring spring extending. longitudinally of said body connected therewith at longitudinally spaced positions thereof and being operative for restoring said portions to their positions of mutual inclination upon termination of stresses effecting longitudinal extension of said body, and for damping shocks resulting from sudden development of said stresses.

13. Anauxiliary ski binding as defined in claim 1, said second means comprising a first member having a cutout in which said first means, is in part receivable, and a second member, one of said members being movable with reference to the other member between a'first position in which said second member extends across said cutout blocking the same and a second position in which said second member is withdrawn from said cutout, and means urging said one member to said first position.

14. An auxiliary ski binding as defined in claim 13, said one member being said second member, and wherein said second member comprises a cam face arranged to be engaged by said first means in response to coupling engagement between said means so that said second member is deflected by engagement with said first means to said second position.

15. An auxiliary ski binding as defined in claim 14, and further comprising at least one actuating portion provided on said second member and adapted to be engaged by a user for deflecting said second member to said second position to thereby permit separation of said first and second means from one another.

16. An auxiliary ski binding as defined in claim 15, said first member including two transversely spaced walls and a transverse wall connecting said transversely spaced walls, said second member being elongated and located between said transversely spaced walls, and further comprising a pivot pin passing through said second member and being connected with said transversely spaced walls for mounting said second member turnable about thepivot axis defined by said pivot pin.

17. An auxiliary ski binding as defined in claim 14, said second member being mounted for sliding movement with reference to said first member'between said first and second positions.

18. An auxiliary ski binding for preventing separation of a ski from a ski boot in the event of unintentional release of the main ski binding, comprising first auxiliary binding element means securable to a ski and being in form of an elongated body having at least two discrete elongated portions provided with respective spaced end sections at opposite ends of said body and one of which is securable to the ski whereas the other end section is separably engageable with a second auxiliary binding element means, said'elongated body having a predetermined resistance to longitudinal extension and a resistance to torsional stresses which is greater than said predetermined resistance; connecting means connecting said portions and guiding the same for longitudinal sliding movement with reference to one another between a normal first position in which said end sections are located closer together and an extended second position in which said end sections are farther spaced from one another; restoring means permanently tending to restore said portions to said first position; and second auxiliary binding element means securable to a ski boot and arranged for separable coupling engagement with said other end section of said first auxiliary binding element means, said auxiliary binding element means cooperating with one another in a sense maintaining the ski, in the event of unintentional release of the main ski binding, against pivotal movement with reference to the boot about at least one of two axes, one of which is normal to and the other of which is parallel with the elongation of the ski. 

